Authorities Investigate Waymo Taxis for Ignoring School Bus Stops
Approximately 2,000 Waymo autonomous vehicles are currently under investigation following an alarming incident involving a school bus in Atlanta. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a preliminary investigation on Friday to scrutinize Waymo’s autonomous vehicle technology with respect to compliance with school bus safety laws.
Investigation Details
The incident occurred on September 22 when a Waymo taxi approached a stopped school bus. Although the vehicle initially halted, it later maneuvered around the bus, disregarding the stop signals and a red light indicating that children were disembarking.
- Location: Atlanta
- Date of Incident: September 22
- Vehicles Under Investigation: Approximately 2,000
Waymo’s Response
A spokesperson for Waymo emphasized that safety remains their foremost priority. The company provides hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous rides each week in demanding driving conditions. They stated, “NHTSA plays a vital role in road safety, and we will continue to collaborate with the agency.”
To enhance performance and safety, Waymo has implemented software updates and plans further enhancements. The spokesperson noted that during the incident, the vehicle maintained a safe distance from the children exiting the bus.
Historical Context and Previous Incidents
According to the NHTSA investigation filing, there have been prior incidents similar to the Atlanta occurrence. An example of such a situation involved a Waymo vehicle making an illegal U-turn in San Bruno, California. Due to the lack of a human driver, law enforcement could not issue a traffic ticket, prompting the police to contact Waymo directly.
Legal Implications and Future Regulations
The existing legal framework complicates traffic enforcement for autonomous vehicles, as tickets can only be issued to actual human drivers. California lawmakers are working to address this enforcement gap; a new law is set to take effect in July. However, critics argue that the proposed changes may not be sufficient.
Waymo’s Commitment to Safety
Waymo claims that its self-driving taxis are contributing to improved road safety. The company reports a fivefold reduction in injury-related crashes compared to human drivers. As they expand their services in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Waymo remains under stringent oversight from California regulators.
Waymo continues to maintain that their autonomous driving technology is designed to adhere to traffic laws and ensure the safety of all road users.
